Travis Davis, a returning newcomer to our community, asked a question about self-employment.

In-particular Travis wanted to know if anyone has experience with self-employment. I offered my honest feedback, mentioning I have dabbled in self-employment albeit not quite successfully. As I explained further, not knowing how much to charge for my freelance writing services and lacking the confidence to charge said prices proved my downfall.

Nonetheless downfalls and failure do not need to define us. Through additional back and forth I revealed I still describe myself as an entrepreneur. However, I treat entrepreneurship more like a hobby. This takes pressure off converting sales.

What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is a lesson you have learned from failure?” Leave your reply in the “Comments” section.

Elsewhere in the chat, getting a new wheelchair came up.

The topic arose when Casey mentioned she should be getting a new wheelchair soon. My co-host Devin Axtman and Casey began discussing different details involved in the process. Details like getting the prescription written and going through the wheelchair evaluation. All information peaking my interest since I never experienced the process myself. Fueled by my curiosity, I asked a question about getting a new wheelchair.

Casey, Devin, and chat regular Seth each replied to my question asking how often they get a new wheelchair. Five years appeared the common time frame for getting a new one. In that time frame you could answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question over and over and over! To refresh you, this week’s question asks “What is a lesson you have learned from failure?”

Comment below to answer!

After answering double check your calendar and ensure you have each Wednesday marked for #CPChatNow. Each week the fun starts at 8pm ET.

This past week in #CPChatNow was insightful as always. Members discussed things they had done to accommodate their CP, canes, and shoes. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, I would like to make a recommendation. Go buy Zachary Fennell’s book, Off Balanced. I bought it and I’m loving it so far:

Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 proved an extra exciting night for the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Here to fill you in on all the excitement I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Time to dive into your weekly recap!

The exhilarating tone started early in the night with participants sharing wonderful news.

First, I revealed my CP memoir Off Balanced is now available in paperback! Additionally, another long-time chat regular shared some positive news.

Our own “Positivity Princess” Linds scored an audition for This is My Brave in Iowa City. As she would explain, This is My Brave shares stories about mental illness in order to break stigmas. Both my co-host Devin Axtman and I thought that sounds pretty cool.

Beyond participants’ exciting news, our community rallied together to show support to a fellow participant.

Shira expressed frustration in needing to drop two classes in order to keep up physically with her college schedule. Heather encouraged her “There’s nothing wrong with doing what you must to accommodate.” How true! To emphasize this, let us make the week’s extend-the-conversation question the following. “What is something you have done to accommodate your cerebral palsy?” Respond in the “Comments” section.

Learning to accommodate your CP helps to make you adaptable. Elsewhere in #CPChatNow February 5th, 2020 we discussed other characteristics CP makes us.

I asked participants to fill in the blank and answer “Cerebral palsy makes me (blank).” Newcomer Travis Davis chimed in, saying CP makes him happy, providing him opportunities he wouldn’t have otherwise. Perhaps, like Travis, you will take the opportunity to join #CPChatNow. Our discussion happens each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET. If you do not like Twitter, join us through our Facebook fan page and through answering the weekly extend-the-conversation question. As a reminder, this week’s question asks “What is something you have done to accommodate your cerebral palsy?”

This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed moving, the difficulty of battling through winter, and terrible compliments they have experienced related to their CP. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, we check in on Linds. She has moved to a new town to start her new job as a paralegal:

Next, members discussed a common nemesis of people with CP, old man winter. Zach asked if members felt more tired during winter:

Finally, talk turned to problematic compliments members had received. Zach tweeted about the “I don’t see you as disabled” stereotype and Jen tweeted about being prayed for once.

Chris also tweeted about some problematic compliments.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the worst compliment you have received related to your CP?

Thanks for reading and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.